Ultimate Fighter headed abroad with TUF: Australia vs. U.K.

A rivalry dating back more than a hundred years will play out later this year inside an Octagon overseas when fighters from Australia collide with those from the United Kingdom on an upcoming season of the Ultimate Fighter.

Nicknamed “The Smashes”, the show is currently casting competitors who measure in between 135-170 pounds indicating the program will feature lighter weights as opposed to larger athletes.

“The popularity of MMA has exploded in Australia and the U.K., with gyms opening all over the respective countries. There is an athlete in one of those gyms who hasn’t had the chance to show the world what he can do – The Ultimate Fighter is going give to him that opportunity,” said UFC’s Managing Director of International Development Marshall Zelaznik. “We’re going to discover the UFC’s future stars, you can bet on it.”

No coaches have been announced at this point though bantamweight stand-out Brad Pickett has mentioned an interest in taking the reigns of a U.K. team. Other Brits who could emerge to fill the role include Ross Pearson, Dan Hardy, and Michael Bisping. Meanwhile, a handful of Australians currently call the UFC home such as Kyle Noke and George Sotiropoulos.